It is the summer of 1976, the hottest summer in living memory, and keen drama teacher Vivienne fights sweltering heat and general teenage apathy to put on a school musical of her version of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'. To get the kids engaged, she weaves the play around their favourite pop songs, using the hits of the day by artists as diverse as David Bowie, Lou Reed, The Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, Dusty Springfield and Electric Light Orchestra. The music is sung and performed by a fresh and enormously talented group of young actors led by rising star Aneurin Barnard. The result is a film that is in turn touching, life affirming, funny and nostalgic, and a love letter to the music of the period.
Join My Band is a short film about a boy who starts a band to get a girl. Set in inner city London, Steve, a nerdy schoolboy, falls in love with rebellious rock-chic Stella. Oblivious to his feelings, Steve transforms his image, forming a punk-rock band with his friends. However, despite appearances, Stella isn't quite what she seems.
The hilarious true story of two nobodies who took on the biggest somebody on earth, from the writers of 'The Commitments'.
Neil McCormick, a punk schoolboy in Dublin in the 1970s wants to be famous, more than famous, he's certain his destiny is to be a rock god. He and his little brother Ivan have it all worked out: the platinum albums, the stadium concerts, the screaming girls, the quest for world peace. There's one thing they hadn’t counted on, the small boy quietly sitting on the other side of the classroom has plans of his own. And his name is Bono. And there’s another thing, Bono tells Neil he wants Ivan for his band. And Neil’s not going to tell him.
On the last day of her life, ballerina Ida Rubinstein, is a frail and forgotten figure with only her three greedy servants in attendance. With one last supreme effort Ida rises from her chair and revealing her ballet shoes she begins to dance.
Reggae, Punk and Bhangra musicians from the UK city of Birmingham discuss their distinctive musical styles and reflect on how music has played its own role in fostering a new sense of collective identity in the city. Including interviews and archives from Steel Pulse, UB40, Swami, Au Pairs and Nightingales.
MOVE, is a short film fusing the worlds of traditional Highland pipe music and urban hip hop, shot on location in Mid Argyll. This dynamic short film is the result of a unique collaboration with Wild Biscuit, Mid Argyll Pipe Band and Scotland's No1 Hip Hop Crew, Random Aspekts.
A Young Girl is Washed Overboard by a ship caught in a storm.
She Wakes up on a mysterious Island where She encounters strange creatures. In order to find her way back she must liberate the music trapped in the undertow of the night island
Over the last five years an independent record shop has closed in the UK every three days. Sound It Out is a documentary portrait of the very last surviving vinyl record shop in Teesside, North East England.
A cultural haven in one of the most deprived areas in the UK, SOUND IT OUT documents a place that is thriving against the odds and the local community that keeps it alive.
Directed by Jeanie Finlay who grew up three miles from the shop. A distinctive, funny and intimate film about men, the North and the irreplaceable role music plays in our lives.
Stewart has a bittersweet relationship with his brother Elliot. Together they embark with Elliot's girlfriend Toni on a carefree Friday night, which reveals the deeper-rooted problems of their relationship when Elliot discovers that his brother has a fling with his girlfriend.
SUMMERTIME is a new, modern film musical with a wholly original screen story, songs and musical score that captures the spirit and updates the traditions of folk-operas such as Gershwin's Porgy and Bess fusing it with the grit and substance of contemporary fables such as Dancer in the Dark.
Set against the backdrop of a tough estate during a blisteringly hot summer, 'Summertime' tells the story of Janey, a determined young mother who dreams of a bright future for her three young sons. Seen through the eyes of a Narrator, we see Janey enchant and inspire her boys by painting a picture of a world full of hope, possibility and magic.
But harsh reality is never far away and Janey finds she must take on an unforgiving, inflexible reality and a violent gang who intimidate the locals and worse, wish to recruit her eldest son into a life of crime and violence. Her struggle to keep her three sons on the right path leads to her increasing isolation until finally, standing alone, Janey is forced to face the gang head on with devastating consequences.
The secrets of Kolkata is revealed by overweight, dance-obsessed, intrepid detective Rajesh Ji. Mixing dance and hit songs with the harsh lives of clients, this originally styled feature documentary provides an entertaining yet poignant look at modern India through the prism of crime.
What happens when a population loses trust in its police and authorities? There is a new phenomenon happening in India today - the boom of the private detective. Poisonings, adultery, fraud and the occasional murder - such are the day to day investigations of Kolkata's Bengali Detective - Rajesh Ji.
This film follows the intrepid detective and his motley band of helpers on raids and investigations as they enter the hidden lives of clients, victims and perpetrators. Yet on his off hours, Rajesh indulges his inner dance fanatic as he harbors a dream of becoming an international star - whilst trying to look after his desperately sick wife and small son.
